'Is this for real?': Sheffield headteacher condemns ‘sexist’ stay at home Covid ad

The headteacher of Sheffield High School for Girls has condemned a sexist Government lockdown poster.
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Nina Gunson joined the backlash against the controversial ‘stay home, save lives’ Covid advert, which has now been withdrawn.

The poster, showing a woman reclining in a man’s arms on the sofa followed by three images of women looking after children and doing housework, has prompted widespread disbelief on social media.

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Sheffield headteacher Nina Gunson criticised the sexist poster, which has now been withdrawnSheffield headteacher Nina Gunson criticised the sexist poster, which has now been withdrawn
Sheffield headteacher Nina Gunson criticised the sexist poster, which has now been withdrawn
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Ms Gunson said: “Is this actually for real? Stay at home ladies... you can do a spot of cleaning, ironing, maybe home school the kids, then you can sit and relax with the man in your life! Oh... and save lives!”

She added: “On reflection - I’m not sure that is an ironing board. Looks like a pasting table - maybe Mum has managed to fit in time for doing a spot of wallpapering in and amongst childcare. Gulp!”

Confirming the poster’s withdrawal, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I will make clear that it does not reflect the Government’s view on women which is why we have withdrawn it.”

He was not able to say who produced the image, which was part of a series of adverts produced to encourage people to stay home and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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Its many critics included Kate Jarman, an NHS manager, saying: “What the actual WOMEN DO MORE THAN CHILDCARE AND HOUSEWORK is this?”

Pragya Agarwal, a data scientist, said: “Who made this? And who approved it?

“Heteronormative. Reinforcing the view that it is a woman’s job to homeschool, clean, do the childcare.

“Are the men out there fighting a war or something?”

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